This is a very famous Narasimha Kshetra, which is known to be over 1000-2000 years old. It is a special feature in this temple that Goddess Mahalakshmi is seen embracing the Lord Narasimha to reduce His anger after Hiranyasamhara.

Legends

Parikkaral Lakshminarasimha Swamy temple is an ancient temple

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which was built by Vasantharaja of Vriddachalam. This place was ruled by the king Vasantharaja who had his capital at Vriddachalam. This king wished to built a temple for Lord Narasimha. Being constantly troubled by a demon called Parakalasura (said to be a relative of Hiranyakashipu), Vasantharaja undertook severe penance at this place as directed by his Guru. Answering his prayers, Lord Narasimha appeared here and killed the Asura.

Having only seen the angry form of Lord Narasimha, Vasantharaja invoked the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi to pacify the Lord and grant Darshan in a calm mood as LakshmiNarasimha Swamy. Pleased by the prayers of the King, Goddess Kanakavalli Thaayar sat on the Lord’s lap, cooled down His anger and blessed the pious king Vasantharaja, the Devas and the all Rishis at this place.

Delighted and overjoyed, Vasantharaja requested that this place be named after the demon Parakalasura, as in a way it was this Asura due to whom the King could get the opportunity to witness the Lord’s Divya Mangala Roopam .
Hence, this place was named as ‘Parikala’puram, which in course of time became ‘Parikkal’.

The Four Narasimha Temples
The Parikkal LakshmiNarasimha Swamy temple is one among the four Narasimha temples of this region. The others being Anthili (near Thiru Kovilur), Poovarasan Kuppam (15kms North of Panruti) and Singiri (12kms South of Pondicherry).

History

This temple is rich in history. This is confirmed by several inscriptions that are found on outside walls of this temple. These inscriptions seem to be dating back to several hundred years. Prominent among them is the fish shaped inscriptions, which gives rise to one to two inferences: One, the Pandya kings, whose symbol was a ‘Fish’, may have contributed to this temple in a big way. The other is the story relating to Vasantharaja, who one night saw in his dreams fishes near this place (an indication of impending victory in his battle against the asura).
On observing other inscriptions, the contributions of Pallava king Koperichingan, Thiru Bhuvanam Chakravarthy Konerinmai Kondaan, etc are brought to light. Raja Raja Chozhan I is said to have constructed the temple tank and
Pallava and Nayak kings seemed to have taken up the renovation of temple.

Mughal invasion – While the original temple was built by Vasantharaja, it is believed to have been destroyed during the Mughal invasion. As per records, the temple that stands today is said to have been built by Veera Narasimha of Karnataka.

Deity

Moolavar – Lakshminarasimha Swamy
Thayar – Kanakvalli
Vimanam – Ashtakona Vimanam

Lord Hanuman
In this temple, one can find 2 Anjaneya idols in the same sannidhi. A unique feature here is that, unlike other temples, Anjaneya gets the 2nd right of Thirumanjanam after Lord Narasimha (in other temples, Thaayar is the one who gets the Thirumanjanam after the Lord).

Significance
Parikkal Lord Narasimha is the Kula Deivam for many Madhwa families of Karnataka. This temple becomed a very powerful Prarthana Sthalam, where all miseries such as Debts, Enemies, Diseases, etc vanish away when one offers prayers at this temple. It is a custom here that devotees after lighting lamp with gingili oil, spread Navadhanyam, write their wishes and pray.

Festivals

There are festivals round the year at this temple.

  • On the 5th day of Thai, Lord Narasimha goes on a procession to Pennai River and stays there the night.
  • On Maasi Magam – full moon day- the Lord goes on a 10km procession to the Kedila River.
  • On Panguni Uthiram, the Lord is taken on a procession to Orathur Village.
  • Every month on Swathi Nakshatram, there is a special Thirumanjanam in the evening and a Sannidhi procession inside the temple.

Timings

Morning Evening
6.00 Am – 1.00pm 4.00pm – 8.00 Pm

How To Reach

Contact
Contact Number – 099438 76272
Krishnamurthy Bhattar (ARCHAKAR) – 96004 55395

Route –
Villupuram – Tiruchirapalli NH
Located around 25kms South West of Villupuram and 3kms west of the Kedilam Cross Road off the Chennai-Trichi National Highway.

By Road –
Take the Madras- Villupuram-Ulundurpet- Trichy GST National Highway
21kms after Villupuram, Get down at Kedilam Junction.There are 30 share autos plying between Parikkal and Kedilam Junction- Rs.5 per head. Auto will charge Rs.30-40/- from Kedilam Junction.

If travelling by car from Madras/ Villupuram, take a right(towards West) just before Kedilam Cross Road, cross the railway line to reach the temple (about 2kms from the railway line).

By Train – Passenger train from Villupuram and Vriddachalam stop at Parikkal railway station.

Divya Kshetra

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